Here's a look at Michigan State in the last 10 NFL drafts

By Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, 8 months ago

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Here's a look at Michigan State in the last 10 NFL drafts

By Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, 8 months ago

Michigan State has been one of the Big Ten’s top programs in recent years, winning 11 or more games five times in the last six seasons. But the NFL draft doesn’t reflect that success. Instead, it reinforces the notion that Mark Dantonio and his staff have few peers when it comes to developing talent to fit their system.

The results are prodigious, with nine bowl trips including an appearance in the College Football Playoff last season under Dantonio, who routinely turns three-star recruits into five-star studs.

It’s hard to imagine, but just one offensive line and one linebacker have been selected in the last 10 years. The linebacker drought may continue, but the Spartan blockers in the NFL should rise. In fact, OT Jack Conklin projects as a first-round pick after coming out early.

Bottom line: This year’s draft could be fruitful, as seven Spartans took part in the NFL Combine: Conklin; QB Connor Cook; DE Shilique Calhoun; C Jack Allen; WR Aaron Burbridge; DT Joel Heath and DT Lawrence Thomas. That’s the most MSU players invited to the Combine ever under Dantonio.

Here is a look at how Michigan State has fared in the last 10 NFL drafts.

And if you want to leave a comment on this post, use the box below. All comments need to be approved by a moderator.

Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer

About Tom Dienhart: BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, and send him questions to his weekly mailbag.